Freedom of flying?

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Ten years ago, when I took piloting again, I was looking to purchase a twin engine airplane. I ended up with a Cessna C-152!

I wanted a private airplane to travel often between Chicago and Fort Lauderdale. I had been reading all these aviation magazines which proclaimed the ownership of private airplanes as the way to enjoy “the freedom of flying”. Major BS! Most of the times I ended up flying to little airports in the middle of no where. All I could do in most of these places was to take a pee and fly off again. Nothing else!

I have redefined my mission since:

I do not need a twin engine or a complex and expensive airplane. I do not need an airplane to travel. I need one for fun, for joy rides “around the block”.

Horse power of 160 to 180, will do for me. As so will a speed of 100 to 125 kts/hour. I like to fly, listen to the engine during cruising, make 50 or 100 miles trips, go to the same strategically chosen dozen airports most of the time, and make 2 or 3 long cross country trips during summer and a bunch of cross country trips to Wisconsin. I also like to fly up north following the Mississippi River. Make many frequent trips around Lake Michigan, including as many as possible at night if the lake conditions are clear for VFR.

These 100 miles or so trips to nowhere land may take as long as they take. I do not care about the speed of the airplane. It does not matter to me if I get to my destination ten minutes sooner or ten minutes later. What I want to do is fly a couple of hours in visual conditions.

To help me navigate I chose a $1500 portable GPS and an anti collision instrument. I did not see the need for a $10,000.00 IFR GPS. I do not use the VOR needles. I regard them as cumbersome and obsolete. Instead I travel with 2 GPS’s, using one for back up.

I have enjoyed much rebuilding the 3 airplanes I have owned: a C-152 (the easiest one), a C-177 (the more detailed) and a TB9 (my best!). Having the engine overhauled has been a must for all of them. I need to be sure the engine is sound. The airplane must also look good!